Blink N Bones, Woodlea Diego and Twilight Bromac look big winning chances at Addington on Tuesday afternoon. Racing journalist Jonny Turner caught up with some of the trainers and drivers lining the trio up to see how they think their charges are placed going into the twilight meeting. Race 2: Twilight Bromac (1)Trainers: Cran and Chrissie DalgetyDriver: Blair Orange Twilight Bromac has had plenty of good chances to win a maiden before and Tuesday’s race must rate at the very top of that list. Forget his last start over the…
Month: May 2021
Living the Dressage Dream
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Kat Gardiner is not your stereotypical truck driver. Yes, she is a Class 5 swing lift operator, who’s on the road five days a week, but she’s also a mother and a dedicated dressage rider who has high hopes of taking her beloved “Vinny” to the top. “He’s going to be my best horse,” says Gardiner. Vinny is the impeccably-bred Dream Major (Art Major – Christian Dreamer), who is a half brother to Amazing Dream and Chase The Dream. On debut in 2018…
Pitman reflects on career of grand campaigner Enzo’s Lad
Group One winner Enzo’s Lad (outer) has been retired. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Dual Group One winner Enzo’s Lad has been retired after trailing the field home in the Listed Daphne Bannan Memorial Great Easter Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton on Saturday. The Michael and Matthew Pitman-trained eight-year-old retires sound after a career which spans 50 starts and six seasons, with a record of eight victories and 13 minor placings. The son of Testa Rossa won the Group 1 Telegraph (1200m) on two occasions and finished runner-up to…
Ramsden target for Through Irish Eyes
Fresh from saddling the first two runners home in the Gr.1 South Australian Derby (2500m) last Saturday, Ciaron Maher and David Eustace are set to display the depth of their staying three-year-olds with promising galloper Through Irish Eyes (NZ) (Tavistock) ready to take on older horses in the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at Flemington. New Zealand-bred pair Explosive Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry) and Let’s Karaka Deel (NZ) (Dundeel) proved a class above their rivals in their one-two Derby finish and now improving Tavistock gelding Through Irish Eyes is one of seven…
Doomben Cup swansong for Melody Belle
The Gr.1 Doomben Cup (2000m) on May 22 remains set as the final start in the storied career of Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) following her midfield finish at the Gold Coast on Saturday. Trainer Jamie Richards said the 14-time Group One winner ran well when finishing 10th in the Gr.2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) but that she was unlucky not to finish closer to impressive winner Zaaki. “I thought she ended up in quite a nice spot from a tricky barrier and looked like she was starting to work home and…
Jockeys sidelined following weekend incidents
A spate of incidents over the weekend has resulted in a number of jockeys joining the injury list, with a couple having an enforced winter hiatus. On Sunday, leading Central Districts jockey Lisa Allpress was involved in an incident in the starting gates where she sustained a head knock after being dislodged by her mount Castani. Castani was subsequently late scratched and Allpress was taken to Palmerston North hospital for observation. New Zealand Jockeys’ Association Executive Officer Andrew Lacy has kept in contact with Allpress and said she should make…
Pitman reflects on career of grand campaigner
Dual Group One winner Enzo’s Lad (Testa Rossa) has been retired after trailing the field home in the Listed Daphne Bannan Memorial Great Easter Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton on Saturday. The Michael and Matthew Pitman-trained eight-year-old retires sound after a career which spans 50 starts and six seasons, with a record of eight victories and 13 minor placings. The son of Testa Rossa won the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) on two occasions and finished runner-up to Avantage last year. Michael Pitman credits the grand galloper with providing him with the motivation…
Harness Jewels update – May 10
The 2YO Ruby has seen the biggest movements in the IRT Harness Jewels leaderboards this week. It’s three weeks out from harness racing’s big day at Cambridge on June 6, where there will be nine $100,000 Group One races. The top 12 in each category go through to their respective final. In the 2YO Ruby, Double Delight’s win on debut for trainer-driver Tony Herlihy on Friday night at Alexandra Park has propelled her to 4th place, with Kowhai Sunset going from 14th to 5th on the back of his win…
Jones to show off more skills
By Jonny Turner Mark Jones is set to show off even more of his skills as a horseman following his impressive victory with Kowhai Sunset at Rangiora on Sunday. The colt put himself in Harness Jewels contention when sitting off the speed in a hotly contested two-year-old trot before powering to victory. The win displayed Jones’ skill as a leading trainer and a former World Champion driver as he produced a more polished version of Kowhai Sunset than seen in his last two starts. The trainer then pulled out a…
Road to the Jewels – BEN HOPE
The first Road to the Jewels video for 2021 features Ben Hope and Muscle Mountain (4YO Ruby)